Ebola has infected an estimated 4,300 people in Africa, and killed more than 2,400 people, according to the World Health Organisation. The spread of Ebola remains most serious in Liberia, where there have been the most deaths.
Also affected are Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Senegal reported its first Ebola case in the end of August, and officials in The Gambia are keeping close watch for cases, although none have been reported.
In Guinea, the situation appears to be stabilising. As part of its strategy to fight the deadly Ebola virus, ChildFund Guinea identified and engaged community leaders to convey information to the public in three of Guinea’s affected communities.
These 108 leaders include imams, priests, a pastor, traditional healers and hunters, all of whom are respected and have influence within their communities. In March, as the outbreak began, ChildFund Guinea’s office held training workshops on conducting outreach campaigns, as well as identifying and referring people with suspected cases of Ebola to health facilities.
As a result, community members have received important information about good hygiene and preventive measures from people they know and trust. The training has concluded, but information sharing continues through local groups and one-on-one discussions at Guineans` homes and houses of worship.
To date, 35 traditional healers (10 in Kindia and 25 in Dabola) and 28 hunters involved in the project are actively continuing the efforts to contain the spread of Ebola in Guinea. These men are part of indigenous groups, who are trusted as caregivers of the land and of people. Because of their roles and influence, healers and hunters are critical to public awareness efforts.
This community-centred approach has created widespread trust and increased public support for the use of preventive measures.
The outreach campaign has yielded concrete results, with three people suspected of having the virus referred to the Regional Hospital of Dabola. Unfortunately, these three patients did die a few days later but this intervention helped prevent the further spread of the virus.
Since the end of March, no new cases have been reported in any of the communities where ChildFund works in Guinea. Nevertheless, community members continue to be vigilant and prepared to take action if they see anyone who has a suspected case of Ebola.
ChildFund Liberia staff waited anxiously this morning for the arrival of a humanitarian airlift carrying 15,000 pounds of emergency medical supplies to help contain the spread of the Ebola virus. Manned by two volunteer crews, the 737 jet carried five pallets of personal protection equipment and hygiene supplies from our US-based sister organisation, ChildFund International, in response to urgent requests from staff and health care professionals in Liberia.
ChildFund International CEO Anne Lynam Goddard says, “The response of our staff and partners has been remarkable €“ to provide and deliver lifesaving medical supplies requested by the hospitals and clinics we serve in these countries. We are honoured to work with leading corporations and fellow non-profits to meet West Africa`s most urgent medical needs and save lives together.”
This airlift came about through a remarkable collaboration spanning the corporate and nonprofit sectors. ChildFund`s participation in the airlift would not have been possible without the support of AIRLINK, ATX Air Services, Procter & Gamble and Advocates for World Health €“ as well as more than 100 generous individuals. Four other non-profit organisations joined ChildFund in filling the plane with supplies: AFYA Foundation, AmeriCares, Direct Relief and MedShare. Logistical support on the ground was provided by UPS, FedEx, ALAN, LIFT and Rock-IT Cargo.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation report that the current Ebola virus outbreak is the deadliest on record. Although there is no known cure for this disease, early intervention can help to boost survival rates. Currently, 47 per cent of those infected are surviving. However, health workers are in desperate need of supplies to treat symptoms and contain the virus.
While Ebola is the main challenge at the moment, the breadth and depth of this outbreak has pushed Liberia`s health system to its limit. It is predicted that the number of deaths from malaria, pneumonia and childbirth will increase due to Ebola because people are afraid to seek treatment in hospitals.
As a child-focused organisation, ChildFund has an essential role in helping to restore safe delivery options for pregnant women by getting these supplies to Lofa, the hardest-hit county in Liberia and ChildFund Liberia`s main project area.
Once the supplies are delivered through the Ministry of Health of Social Welfare, the organisation will start to focus its efforts on helping meet the needs of children and youth orphaned and stigmatized due to having lost family members to the virus.
Anthony Klay Sie, Program Manager for ChildFund Liberia, reflects, “Since the Ebola outbreak, one of the hardest parts of my job has been the challenge to fill urgent requests for supplies that often mean the difference between life and death. So today, it feels tremendous to finally be able to say, ˜Yes, we can help you.`
“ChildFund Liberia has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its county health teams to raise awareness on the Ebola virus,” he adds. “I am so glad that we have gone a step further by procuring and airlifting for distribution essential response materials that directly complement the efforts of the Government of Liberia and other stakeholders in addressing this emergency and saving lives.”
